Orthodontic Appliances

Archwire

Bands

A metal ring that is usually placed on your teeth to hold on parts of your braces.

Brackets

Brackets are the small metal or ceramic modules attached to each tooth. They serve as guides to move the teeth and hold the archwire in place.

Chain

A stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to move teeth.

Distal Jet

The Distal Jet is a specially designed appliance, which widens the upper jaw and simultaneously corrects the bite on one or both sides. The expanding action of the appliance gently widens the upper arch by separating the elastic membrane in the center of the palate.

Elastics

Elastics or rubber bands for braces help move the upper and lower teeth relative to each other, ultimately achieving a better bite. The orthodontic rubber bands are typically effective for correcting overbites, underbites, or other types of alignments of the jaw. They are also useful for moving a tooth out of alignment or to close a space in the mouth.

Expander

The Bonded Upper Expander is constructed with a palatal expansion screw whose metal arms are soldered to wire framework. The framework encircles all of the posterior teeth and supports the acrylic posterior bite plane. The Bonded Upper Expander is a way to widen a narrow upper jaw.

Fixed Retainers

Fixed retainers consist of a metal wire bonded to the back of the teeth. Fixed retainers can stay in place indefinitely.

Forsus

The Forsus appliance is an orthodontic appliance that is affixed to the teeth. Springs mounted on the side of the appliance force the lower jaw forward upon closure of the jaws retraining the bite and correcting a Class II problem.

Herbst Appliance

An Herbst appliance is a fixed appliance with pistons and bands which are cemented to the back teeth. Pistons force the lower jaw forward retraining the bite in cases where upper molars are in a position forward of the lower molars correcting a Class II problem.

Invisalign

Invisalign® is a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that both orthodontists and dentists use as an alternative to traditional metal dental braces.

Ligating Module

A small plastic piece, shaped like a donut, which is used to hold the archwires in the brackets on your teeth.

Lingual Arch

A lingual arch is an orthodontic device which connects two molars in the upper or lower dental arch.

Mara

A Mara is a fixed appliance consisting of metal caps and small, hook-like devices. The hooks impact during the bite to drive the lower jaw forward retraining the bite and correcting a Class II problem.

Nance

The Nance button is utilized to hold teeth in position to allow for the movement of other teeth. The impact of the button on the lower palate creates force on the back molars.

Palatal Expander

A palatal expander, also known as a rapid palatal expander, rapid maxillary expansion appliance, palate expander or orthodontic expander, is used to widen the upper jaw so that the bottom and upper teeth will fit together better.

Pendex

This appliance is made of acrylic and wires. It sits on the top of your mouth. It is attached by wires that are bonded to your first premolars and by wire arms that insert into upper first molar bands that have been cemented to your teeth. The purpose of the Pendex appliance is to push your first molars back, creating space in the upper.

Removable Retainer

A gadget that the orthodontist gives you to wear after your braces are removed. The retainer attaches to your upper and / or lower teeth and holds them in the correct position while your jaw hardens and your teeth get strongly attached to your jaw. At first, you wear the retainer 24 hours a day, and then only at night.

Separators

Separators are tiny rubber bands or springs that your orthodontist places between your back teeth. These separators prepare your mouth for braces by creating a small gap between these teeth. This space allows for the placement of a metal band around your molar, which anchors your braces in your mouth.

Thumb Crib

This simple device given to address severe thumb/finger sucking habit. It involves using a wire crib attached to two back braces and fixed.

Transpalatal Bar

The Transpalatal Bar (TPA) is a fixed appliance that is attached to bands on the upper molar teeth. The bar that sits across the roof of the palate fits into a soldered clip located on the bands.

Twin Block

The Twin Block is a removable appliance used to correct a Class II bite. The expansion component of the Twin Block gradually expands the upper pallet creating space for the front teeth to be moved back into position.